Team USA speed skater star Erin Jackson is not taking her place in the spotlight for granted ahead of competing in the 2026 Winter Olympics. Jackson, 33, who won gold in the 500-meter at the 2022 Games in Beijing, will represent the United States at the Olympics for the third time when competition begins next month in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy. "Definitely a lot of pride there," said Jackson, who spoke exclusively to Us Weekly via her partnership with Hershey's. "It's feeling honored to be in this position. With the Olympic Games, it's just a really unifying time where everyone's gathered around their TVs and getting to watch things as a family and as a country. I feel like it really just brings people together. It feels awesome to be a part of that." When Jackson triumphed at the 2022 Games, she became the first Black woman in history to win gold in an individual event at the Winter Olympics. NHL Superstar Jack Hughes Talks Growing Fame, Bond With Tkachuk Brothers "I always wanted to be a good example," Jackson said. "I've always wanted to be helpful. I feel like maybe it's because I had such good mentors growing up. Someone has already set a good example for me. I'm just trying to follow in those footsteps. I'm really just paying it forward as much as I can." Jackson - who will be competing in the 500-meter and 1,000-meter at the 2026 Games - gushed about the Team USA speed skating team's unshakable bond heading into Italy. "We spend so much time together that we're lucky we actually like each other," Jackson said with a laugh. "We choose to hang out with each other, even outside of training. I think that's a really special thing. I think it's really great to be able to lean on pretty much any of my teammates." She added, "When I first joined the team, I think there was a big change. A lot of people retired. But then after the 2022 Games, we had no retirements. We've had this time to grow closer and to get to know each other and really like each other." Jackson singled out Team USA's Brittany Bowe, who she's been close friends with for decades. "I've known her for over 20 years," Jackson said. "We both grew up in the same hometown. We've been skating since we were kids together." Jackson and Bowe, 37, both hail from Ocala, Florida. Bowe is a two-time bronze medalist and will be competing in the 1,000-meter, 1,500-meter and Team Pursuit at the 2026 Games. Team USA Ice Dancer Sets Up GoFundMe Amid 'Significant Financial Challenges' In anticipation of the Winter Olympics in Italy, Jackson has partnered with Hershey's on their new creative campaign, "Hershey's. It's Your Happy Place." "It's really awesome to be at the forefront of the campaign and to really remind people every day, 'You're doing this because you love it. You're doing this for the happiness of everything,'" Jackson said. Erin Jackson Courtesy of Hershey's To celebrate, Hershey's has created limited-edition chocolate medals, which officially launch February 13 on Tik Tok Shop and February 14 at The Hershey's Store. Speed skating at the 2026 Winter Olympics starts on February 7, with Jackson's first event, the women's 1,000-meter, taking place on February 9.